Leading Egyptian Papers Say Inquiry Commission Didn’t Go Far Enough

A major Egyptian news daily, in an editorial published today, suggested that the report of Israel’s commission of inquiry into the massacre of Palestinians in Beirut did not go far enough in its condemnation of top Israeli leaders for their role in the events which led to the killings last September. At the same time, it urged the Arab world to capitalize on the commission’s findings, which were made public yesterday.

“Although the condemnation dealt with many big names,” said the semi-official Al Ahram, “the question which now arises is are those leaders the only ones to be found guilty? The resignations of (Defense Minister Ariel) Sharon or (Director of Israeli Military Intelligence Gen. Yehoshua) Saguy, whose dismissals were recommended by the report, sufficient to wash the hands of (the Israeli government) completely clean of those massacres?”

Charging that the commission’s findings “adds another black page to the annals of Israel,” the newspaper called the decision of Israeli leaders in question to remain in office or resign “an internal matter.”

But it called upon the Arabs to “capitalize on the condemnation as much as possible,” especially after the Arab world turned what the editorial called “a blind eye” to the massacres when they occurred.

Another major news daily, Al-Gomhuriyya, said the results of the commission’s inquiry should be judged according to the changes they might or might not bring about in Israeli policy.

“If the investigation conducted by the Kahan Commission and its results are the beginning of a change, ” it said in an editorial today, “then those who believe in peace in all parts of the world must welcome this. But if the condemnation ends with a mere dramatic reshuffling of the Israeli government, this would be something else.”

No official response to the commission’s findings has been offered yet by the Egyptian government.